EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ELECTION GUN BAN POLICY IN LUCENA CITY

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the election gun ban policy in Lucena City. This policy is undeniably important for the reason that it protects everyone from the rising crime rate regarding gun violence. The study utilized a descriptive research design for the concise elaboration of the result. The researchers made use of the quantitative approach and formulated survey questionnaires that were based on the research objectives. The respondents of the study are citizens of Lucena City, 18 years old and above who have a background knowledge regarding gun bans. Upon conducting the study, the researchers aim to present the result to law implementors to modify or redesign the content under the existing gun ban policy. This study has the following conclusion: (1) residents of Barangay Ibabang Iyam and Cotta are fully aware of the purpose of the implementation of the Election Gun Policy; (2) residents of Barangay Ibabang Iyam and Cotta strongly agree that Election Gun Ban Policy lowers the threat of gun violence in the community during the campaign period; (3) residents of Barangay Ibabang Iyam and Cotta strongly agree that Election Gun Ban Policy regulates the possession and use of firearms; (4) residents assert that Election Gun Ban Policy is highly effective in promoting discipline among citizens in using firearms. Salient recommendations include: (1) For the Local Government Unit, to strengthen the awareness of the penalties imposed on violators of the Election Gun Ban Policy; (2) For the COMELEC, to strengthen the implementation of the Election Gun Ban Policy and continuously reduce the occurrence of crimes during the election, and lessen the involvement of citizens to gun-related violence; (3) To future researchers, to conduct the similar study but with different variable and respondents from a different location.